Watershed rallied past Bird Song in the stretch to win the G3 Ben Ali Stakes by two and three quarter lengths at Keeneland April 15.
The son of Bernardini became the third winner on the card for both Godolphin and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Earlier in the day, they won a maiden special weight with Tasteful (Street Cry) and an allowance race with Zennor (Medaglia d’Oro).
Settled in fifth through the early stages of the race, Watershed began to make up ground on the far turn. At the top of the stretch, he was in second and closing swiftly under a full head of steam as he zeroed in on longtime leader Bird Song. With a furlong left to run, Watershed charged past Bird Song and pulled away to win comfortably.
Watershed is out of the Listed winner, Thousand Islands (by Dubai Millennium), and is a half-brother to Graded Stakes-placed Footbridge (by Street Cry). Thousand Islands is out of Minister Wife, winner of the G2 Demoiselle Stakes, and is a half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winner Marietta.
Bernardini had another fantastic year in 2016 with 10 Graded Stakes winners including dual G1 winner Cavorting, multiple Graded Stakes winner Lewis Bay, G2 Royal Delta Stakes winner Penwith, and G2 Nashua Stakes winner Hemsworth.
He is standing the 2017 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $100,000 Stands and nurses.
